MicroRidge GageWay Series Interfaces for Digital Gages & RS-232 Devices

Measurement Collection Technology
for Today & Tomorrow!

GageWay Series Interfaces
Direct support for digital gages and RS-232 devices
RS-232, USB and network outputs

The design and capabilities of the GageWay Series of gage interfaces reflects the knowledge gained since MicroRidge began designing and building the interface line of products in 1987. We have found that customer requirements are extremely varied in terms of what they need the output to look like. The output is normally dictated by the software that you want to bring the data into. We have built a level of configurability and control into the GageWay Series that is not available elsewhere in the market. The advanced design of the GageWay Series gage interfaces have built-in support for RS-232 devices. Any RS-232 serial device can be connected to the GageWay3 or GageWay5 with an LC Cable or ProCable. Other companies charge close to $200 to connect RS-232 serial devices and each of their cables may only work with a single model serial device.

Which GageWay Interface is Your Best Solution?
To ensure that you are selecting the proper GageWay interface, take a look at the GageWay Interface Comparison Table to compare the full GageWay family of interfaces.

GageWay3	GageWay4	GageWay3 connects 2 digital gages or RS-232 devices to a USB port or an RS-232 serial port. GageWay4 connects 2 RS-232 devices to a USB port or an RS-232 serial port.
		Back side with RS-232 output. Standard configuration on GageWay3 & GageWay4 Plus.

		Back side with network and optional network connection, RS-232 outputs. Standard configuration on GageWay3 & GageWay4 Network.

For more information about connecting RS-232 devices with the the LC Cable and ProCable options and to assist you in selecting the right one, go to Connecting RS-232 Devices to Digital Gage Interfaces.

GageWay5	GageWay6	GageWay5 connects 4 digital gages or RS-232 devices to a USB port or an RS-232 serial port. GageWay6 connects 4 RS-232 devices to a USB port or an RS-232 serial port. Includes RS-232 expansion port (located on back panel) for 5th input or for chaining interfaces.
		Back side expansion port and RS-232 output. Standard configuration on GageWay5 & GageWay6 Plus.

		Backside expansion port, network and optional network connection, RS-232 outputs. Standard configuration on GageWay5 & GageWay6 Network.

GageWay Series Unique Features & Benefits

More advanced method of mixing digital gages and RS-232 devices on the same interface.
Connect any RS-232 serial device without expensive adapter cable.
Use the RS-232 expansion port on the GageWay5 & GageWay6 for an extra RS-232 input or for chaining the units together.
Comprehensive Windows-based setup software for the PC that allows extensive GageWay configuration.
Direct connect network option.
Data parsing that allows you to format the output in the manner you need for your application.
The configurability of MicroRidge gage interface products allow them to be used with any SPC or data acquisition software.

Communications Test Program

This Windows-based program allows you to test the serial communications between the GageWay and your PC.
The Communications Test Program requires no setup and it's a great tool for initially setting up your interfaces or for troubleshooting when needed.

RS-232 Support

Serial support is built into all of the GageWay Series interfaces. It allows the interface to take any type of data format from an RS-232 serial device, and to accept the full string from the serial device. The user can format the output in the manner needed for a particular application.
The GageWay3 & GageWay5 have been designed to accommodate those who need to use digital gages or a mix of digital gages and RS-232 devices.
If you are using all RS-232 inputs, the GageWay4 & GageWay6 have the 9-pin D-sub connector that is like the PC serial port. You can connect your RS-232 serial devices directly.

Digital Gage Support

The advantages of digital gages are that the interface can automatically detect the gage output format, and the user does not have to be concerned with setting RS-232 communications parameters.
The 10-pin connector on the GageWay3 & GageWay5 accepts standard Mitutoyo cables. MicroRidge also has cables for CDI, Federal, Ono Sokki, etc.
Standard RS-232 devices can be connected to the 10-pin connector using the ProCable or LC Cable. If your RS-232 serial device has a TTL level output, it can be connected to the GageWay3 & GageWay5 without the LC cable.

Output Format

Unique output formats can be specified for each channel.
Select from several standard output formats.
Specify a custom output format.
Output calculated results (number of measurements, average, min, max, range, standard deviation) for a set of measurements.
Calculate TIR.

USB Option
If your computer does not have any physical serial ports, you need to create a serial port with a USB to serial cable. Most application software is designed to read data from external devices via a serial port. This means that whether you plug the RS-232 serial device into a physical serial port or into a USB port, it still must look like a serial port to the application software. The USB option from MicroRidge consists of a Serial to USB cable that will convert any USB port to a serial port.

Allows you to connect the GageWay to a USB port.
Allows you to connect RS-232 serial devices directly to your PC for troubleshooting.

Network Option

The Network option supports a 10 Mbps TCP/IP Ethernet connection. When the network connection is used, you can also use the RS-232 output port.
If you do not require network connection when you first purchase a GageWay interface, it can easily be added later.

Read Switches

Each read switch is individually programmed to allow you to get readings from a single channel, all channels or specified channels.
You can control the entire unit with a single read switch.
You do not need a read switch for each channel.

Support

The GWSetup Program sends all parameters to the GageWay and can also write them to a file. If you are having difficulty setting up your equipment, you can email the configuration file to technical support. This is like having the support person sitting right next to you. They can see what you have done and assist you in getting your unit operational.
Since the parameters can be stored in a disk file, programming multiple interfaces is easy. Just get one of the interfaces set up and tested, and once you have the proper configuration merely transfer the files to the other interfaces.

Available for all GageWay Interfaces

Foot switches, hand switches, gage cables, etc. are also available from MicroRidge. See Accessories Store.
Each GageWay interface (except the GageWay SM) is shipped with a 9-pin serial cable and AC adapter for 110 VAC. Included on the CD are the Setup Program and the Communications Test program.
Contact us about International AC adapters are available for 220 VAC @ 50 Hz. See Accessories Store.
Standard Mitutoyo cables can be purchased from MicroRidge or from any Mitutoyo dealer and require no modification. See Cables Store.

Revised July 13, 2008